Press Updates
From El Paìs, 7th of May, 2018
Barcelona falls! Last Battalions of the Spanish National Guard surrender in Barcelona. Spain is under Britannia. Spanish President Mariano Ramirez from Paris: "No pasaràn! We will return."
From The Tokyo Herald, 9th of May, 2018
Breaking news! During ceremony for the re-establishment of the Special Administrative Zone of Japan, by decision of Viceroy Princess Nunnally vi Britannia, over one million of Elevens deserted the ceremony going on voluntary exile on the Chinese Artificial Island Penglai.
From The Saint Petersburg Herald, 10th of May
Iron Guard strikes at airbase in Kiev. The Euro Britannian Defence Force hasn't yet provided information about the attack. Viceroy Velaines: 'The terrorist Galahad-Canossa shall be captured and delivered to justice.' Terrorist Leader: 'Europe shall be ruled by Europeans. We shall overcome the invader from Pendragon and the usurer from Paris.'
From Le Figaro, 11th of May
Monarchist terrorists of the Iron Guard strike at military train taking troops to the front. EU President Michelle Robespierre: 'There shall be no dialogue with monarchists and reactionaries. The Republic shall stand united."
Prussian Free State declares the secession from the EU. The Landstag proclaimed the Kingdom of Prussia and offered the Crown to Prince Friedrich von Hohenzollern, currently in charge of the Euro Britannian 1st Army Group in Konigsberg. The Supreme Court of the Republic rules secession as illegal.
From BBC News, 15th of May
In terrorist attack, Black Knights kidnap Chinese Empress during wedding with Prince Odysseus of Wales. Knights of Round and Hong Kong and Port Arthur Garrisons are mobilised alongside with Chinese Imperial Army.
From Wiener Zeitung, 17th of May
Landstag of Free States of Baden and Bavaria proclaimed Secession from the Republic, restoring their monarchies. Prussian Army defeats French and Dutch forces in Hannover.
From BBC News, 18th of May
Battle at the Mausoleum of the Eighty-Eight Emperors. Imperial Chinese Army is defeated by Black Knights and High Eunuchs are Executed. Revolts begin all over the Chinese Federation as India declares independence. Britannian Forces withdraw to Port Arthur and Hong Kong.
From Le Figaro, 19th of May
Orleans is conquered by Britannian Army. French Republic declares secession from EU and surrenders to Britannia. From Bruxelles, President Robespierre calls for resistance to the last man.
From Il Popolo d'Italia, 20th of May
Victory at the Assietta! Italian Army of 5000 troops, under the command of General Messe repels Britannian invading force of 40, 000 men, under the command of the Knight of Twelve Monika Kruschewsky. Following the Battle, the President of the Republic Gabriele Malmusi declared the secession from the Union and will meet tomorrow Britannian leaders to discuss peace treaty.
From Euronews, 27th of May
Following the Britannian invasion of Belgium and the withdrawal of support from the Dutch Republic, last member of the EU, President Robespierre declared today the dissolution of the United European Republic. 'May the spirit of the Republic and the values of Enlightenment and of the French Revolution outlive our misfortunate Republic.' She said in public speech. The war in Europe is over.
From BBC News, 30th of May
Under the leadership of Terrorist Zero, delegates from Chinese Secessionist States and former Empress are meeting in the Vermillion City. Britannian Ambassador, Lord Peter Kitchener: 'Any association with terrorists shall be treated by Britannia as an act of hostility.'
31st of May, 2018
Reichstag, Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia
The leadership of the Iron Guard entered Berlin on a convoy of seven black Mercedez Benz, heading to the Reichstag. In the streets, the population watched the strange convoy passing by without understanding who was passing. Giulio wanted the maximum secrecy about his trip.
The delegation included, other than Giulio, Ayano, Borghese and Radetzky, also Anna Clément and her father Jean-Pierre, who owned the Clément Industries.
"Paradoxes of life: being a Frenchman and finding yourself supporting the German Re-Unification." Joked Jean-Pierre.
"We all have to do some things that we dislike, at times." Replied Giulio.
"Nonetheless, given what my daughter said about you and trusting that she is right, I gladly support it."
"But I am right, dad, Giulio and his group know what they are doing, just think about everything they went through." Reassured Anna.
"Yes, I really hope so, I should also be more positive about the Germans, they were after all one of the fews to prefer our Alexanders to the Panzer Hummels."
"Well, the EU Army was ruled by Germans, French and Italians for a reason." Observed Giulio.
Ayano was looking at the window.
"It's incredible how little of Europe I know, despite having been here all my life."
"I guess it wasn't your fault, since you couldn't travel." Answered Giulio.
"Yes, true. Still, I hope at some point I will have time to do it."
"But we will, we can even start here in these days, since I suppose we should find time."
The cars finally arrived at the Reichstag, stopping at a secondary entrance. The King of Prussia had offered Giulio a solemn entrance from the main gate, but he declined, preferring to be as discrete as possible. Inside the Parliament, waiting for them were the main exponents of the German nobility, who were returning to their ancestors' lands after three centuries of exile.
Before entering the main hall, where the discussion would have taken place, Giulio and his group were greeted by the Archduke Ferdinand von Habsburg-Lothringen.
"Glad to see you again, Galahad." Said the Archduke.
"Glad to see you, and thanks for arranging this meeting."
"No worries, it was not that difficult. most of the German nobles were quite enthusiastic about reclaiming Germany and Austria."
"I can guess so. So Austria is also joining us?"
"Yes, initially the Government was a bit reluctant, but then they had an election and the monarchists won the majority in Parliament."
"What about the rest of the Austrian Empire?"
"Hard to say, once we will have created a German State all the Eastern Europeans will look at us with distrust. I even thought about keeping Austria outside the Pan-Germanist project, but then I realised that other than angering the Austrians, should I fail in taking back the other lands I would find myself completely isolated."
"I see, so here we go." Said Giulio as they entered the hall, all the nobles stood up.
There were gathered exponents from the most important and influential nobles families that once ruled that miriad of States that pre-Revolutionary Germany was, of these, around 30 would have composed the new sovereign aristocracy of Germany, while also some minor noble families were there, simply to ensure the rights of families from the lower nobility. Among those five of them had the royal dignity: the King of Prussia, the King of Hannover, the King of Saxony, the King of Bavaria and the King of Wurttemberg. The others were Grand Dukes, Dukes, Princes, in addition, the three Free and Hanseatic Cities of Lubeck, Hamburg and Bremen had also sent delegates to the meeting, as they also wished to participate to this project.
The entrance of Giulio caused nonetheless some surprise: coming from the EU, the delegates from the Free Cities started questioning why a terrorist was sitting with them, the other nobles from Britannia, were also concerned about his presence, not because of his actions against the puppet Euro Britannian Security Force, but because of the reaction that his support to the creation of a German State might have caused from Pendragon.
"This is so unfair! We did so much to allow them to be here, you risked and lost so much and that's how they say thanks?"
Ayano was disgusted and expressed her thoughts loudly to Giulio, who could see the outrage in her expression.
"Don't worry, Ayano, this is just how politics works." Answered Giulio holding her hand. "People in politics defend their own interests and hardly feel grateful. I was expecting some reaction like that and even worse, so overall I would say that the situation is encouraging. Soon our supporters will speak up, you will see and we will revert this situation."
The Archduke of Austria was however quick in silencing such voices, reminding that without his contribution, they would have never obtained the uprising of the Germans. After the Archduke, a middle-aged diplomat, sitting on a corner, took the floor.
"Members of this council, good morning.
I am Prince Wilhelm Klemens von Metternich-Winneburg zu Beilstein, I have served as Britannian Ambassador in Ryad, in Tokyo, in the Vermillion Forbidden City and in Paris, other than as Euro Britannian Ambassador in Teheran, returning to Saint Peterburg after the Britannian takeover. I want to begin by thanking Lord Galahad for the efforts that he and his Iron Guard did, to allow us to sit here today and I think that those that wish to expel him simply to avoid having problems with Pendragon or Saint Petersburg should ask themselves some questions? Is this truly what a German noble would do? In second place, I want to remind all of you that under new directives, Euro Britannia does not allow anymore the creation of federated States, which places all of us before a choice: Saint Petersburg or Germany. I want therefore to leave you this question: how much is Germany worth for you? What would you sacrifice for it? Are you ready to break with Pendragon, for Germany? Thank you."
Metternich returned to sit.
After him, other nobles spoke, bringing up the issue of the relation with Britannia and Euro Britannia. A minority of the presents did not wished to break ties with Euro Britannia and wished to establish a German State within the Empire. None of them, however, belonged to the sovereigns sitting there. All the others, while agreed that some sort of compromise with Britannia might be acceptable, they would be willing to support an independent Germany.
Here Giulio took the floor. It was the first time that he would give a speech in German, since despite the Britannian origin of nearly all the presents, they decided to speak in German, as they did not wished to present themselves to the nation as a foreign aristocracy, speaking English or (even worse) French.
"Thank you Chair of the Diet and Lords of Germany,
I want to make clear that I do not keep any animosity towards those who preferred to leave and return to Britannia than staying and establishing a German State with my involvement. I have been engaged in illegal activity and I acknowledge that, just as I acknowledge that to choose my side, means to accept being ruined in Britannia, declared an outlaw and losing any title or privilege, for this reason, I don't blame anyone who does not wish to join me in this desperate fight. Much the opposite, I want to express my appreciation to those who decided to stay, because from this land, from the Maas to the Memel and from the Alps of Tyrol to the Schleswig, we are planting today the seeds of a new European Project. The European United Republic was born as a revolutionary aberration, while Britannia, last bastion of the European civilisation, turned into one over time, by corrupting its elites and its culture. Let us then be the bearers of the New Europe, let us bury forever both Pendragon and Paris and here, in the centre of Europe, begin something new, as we all wished to do when we moved to Euro Britannia. We shall build a new civilisation on the chivalric values that were of our ancestors. The European Republic has fallen and we celebrate today on its ruins, Britannia will never accept the existence of a German nation, let then be the time of Britannia to face its destiny! Deutschland uber alles!"
All the presents applauded his speech, acclaiming it and acclaiming the independence of Germany. Some particularly exalted started singing Deutschland Uber Alles.
The discussion continued throughout most of the day, around issues such as how to structure the new German State. The King of Prussia proposed an hereditary Empire (in which, implicitly, he should have been the Emperor), however such proposal was rejected by nearly all the presents, including Giulio, who instead proposed an elective federation, in which the sovereigns would have elected one of them as Federal President.
Even the elective solution, however, struggled to be accepted as soon the Princes began an argument on who should be the President and with which kind of term. The most supported were the King of Prussia and the Archduke of Austria and Giulio. It was again Giulio to propose a compromise:
"(...) And it is for this reason that I want to propose a triumviratum, with a 6-years mandate, with King Friedrich of Prussia, Archduke Ferdinand of Austria and me as a super-partes co-President. Then, if this model is successful, we can make it permanently, having a representative from Northern Germany, one from Southern Germany and one super-partes."
In the end, most of the nobles agreed on his model, that ended up being implemented, in this way, that same evening, Giulio and the two rulers would take the following day the oath on the Eddas, norse sacred texts that, together with norse religious symbols had become the banner or German nationalism.
The meeting was over around 18:00h and most of the delegates returned to their homes or hotels. Giulio went out for dinner with his delegation, opting for a restaurant near the Brandeburg Gate. There other than the delegation, came also a certain Cecilia von Colloredo-Mansfeld, whose family belonged to the Bohemian nobility.
"So, Lady Cecilia, you said you come from a Bohemian family, but actually Colloredo is Italian."
"Yes, from Friuli, there's a town with this name, but my ancestors moved to Bohemia in the 17th century."
"But you were born in Britannia, right?" Asked Ayano.
"Yes, in New York City, to be exact in Upper East Side."
"One of the fanciest neighbourhoods of New York, and what brought you to Germany? You really look like the typical... person from Upper East Side." Joked Giulio.
"Hey! What do you mean with 'Person from Upper East Side'? I am not the one who grew up in a castle here!"
All them laughed at her response, then she continued: "But jokes apart you're right, I am the typical Newyorker from fancy neighbourhoods and I should be at school in this period. I just came to visit my father who instead, is planning to support your project."
"Which means that you will all have to move here." Observed Borghese.
"Well, yes. We will likely move here, I just hope I won't get bored in Berlin."
"Don't worry, Berlin might not be the funniest place on Earth but it's not difficult to have fun in Europe." Reassured Giulio.
"Oh, of this I am sure, it's the first time I visit Europe, because before we had the travel embargo. I'm really liking here."
Giulio checked quickly the clock, he would have to meet the two Co-Presidents in more or less one hour to enact his plan: he would use his geass to ensure political control over them and from mere mediator, become the de facto leader of Germany.
"Sorry for checking the clock, I just need to meet the King and the Archduke soon." He said.
"Lady Ayano, if I may, you are an Eleven... I meant Japanese, correct?" Asked Lady Cecilia, who was turning out to be very curious and talkative.
"Yes, well more or less: I was born in Tokyo, my father was a senior diplomat for the Japanese Empire, so he was appointed Consul-General in Amsterdam and we moved to Amsterdam in the same year in which I was born and I grew up there."
"A Japanese-European then, that's so nice! What about you, Lord Galahad? I know you were a European officer."
"Well, yes, what can I say, until 12-13 I grew up in the castle in Vermont, but my father got into troubles with Charlie, so he sent us away, you know how he is. But why don't you tell us a bit about you."
"Well, there's not much to tell. My family owns the company and runs it, which is why he is always travelling around and I grew up in New York... at the 'Typical girl from Upper East Side.'"
"I hope you haven't taken the joke as an offense, if so, let me say that I didn't had such intention."
"Oh no, not at all, you haven't offended, I just found it very true."
"It's not something bad... New York is great. I've been there twice, once with my parents when I was eleven, the other when I was readmitted to the court, for the Imperial New York Yacht Club."
Giulio excused himself shortly afterwards, getting on a car to reach the other two nobles at the Reichstag and conclude his takeover of Germany. The following day, at the sound of Wach auf, du Deutschen Land, the black-red-yellow flag with the Imperial Eagle on the upper left corner was raised on the Reichstag and all over the German Federation (where before stood the green-white-blue flag originally used by the Confederacy of the Rhine). The German nobility, gathered in the Reichstag, gave three hurrahs for Germany. Giulio's ascension was resuming and soon would have been realised through blood and iron.